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As the winter months begin to roll in and the daylight hours start to reduce, both of my dog walks are now in the dark. I always walk my dog alone and as a single female, I am very aware of my vulnerability during these walks.
I am also a lover of True Crime which means I am so aware that danger could approach at any time. Be that a blessing or a curse, the True Crime bug hit me and now I have developed behaviors to keep myself safe on these nighttime walks. I aim to pass on these tips in this blog post to keep this amazing community of dog moms safe.
Practical Advice
Light Yourself Up!
The biggest safety tip is to make sure at least you or your dog has a light on them. You should be visible to other road users and pedestrians and a flashing, glowing light works wonders for that! If you don’t want to use a light, try to avoid wearing only dark clothing and add in some bright colors.
It also helps other dog walkers know there is another dog approaching in case they have a reactive dog.
LED Light
I use a dog collar clip-on light which changes colors and is small enough that I can leave it on the collar but is big enough that it doesn’t get lost in my dog’s fur!
The one I use is also rechargeable which means I don’t have to look for batteries every time it runs out. I have had this one for 2 years now and it’s still going strong. The only downside is that the LED is harder to see if your dog’s back is turned to you.
LED Dog’s Collar
An LED dog collar means your dog is visible no matter which way they are facing. You just have to remember to put it on if you are starting out when it’s still light but turning dark.
LED armbands
If your dog doesn’t do well with anything around their neck or body then you can wear the LED lights in the form of an armband. This is also perfect for running with your dog.
Headlamp
A headlamp is a great way to light yourself up but also to see where you are going. If you are walking over un-even ground it is great for making sure you won’t roll an ankle.
I love using this bio-light headlamp because it’s rechargeable, super bright, lightweight and is the one I use when camping. It’s on the more expensive side so if this is not in your budget, cheaper options are available.
True Crime Tip:
If you are approached by a stranger and feel unsafe, shining a bright head torch into their eyes will momentarily blind them and allow you to make your exit quickly.
Wear Reflective Gear
Reflective surfaces are a great way to highlight your presence to drivers when their headlights bounce off of them. Luckily, some coats and shoes already come with a reflective strip built-in but if yours doesn’t, you can purchase different types of reflective products which you would be taking on your dog walk anyway.
One thing to note however, is reflective surfaces only work when a light is shone onto them so you won’t be visible to pedestrians or cyclists from afar. For this reason, I recommend wearing at least one LED light, either on yourself or on your dog.
Reflective Leash
A reflective leash will come with stitching or a strip that will highlight your presence when walking your dog at night to oncoming traffic.
Reflective Vest
One of the first items I bought my dog was a reflective vest. It took him a little bit of time to get used to it but when we were on the walk he completely forgot he was wearing it.
Ditch the headphones
When you are walking on your own at night, you need to stay alert to what is going on around you. Listening to music or speaking on the phone will mean you are distracted and won’t be able to hear if someone or something is approaching you. The longer you have to make a decision about your environment and how to stay safe the better so if you can hear a branch snapping from far away you have more time to weigh up your options and make an escape route if necessary.
Coyotes and wild animals are more likely to attack during darkness so you want to be able to hear them coming and avoid them to keep your dog (and yourself) safe.
Bring your phone
Our phones are our number one lifelines and I never leave the house without mine. Just in case there is an emergency like you have a fall (or worse) being able to call the emergency services or a loved one is a necessity.
In addition to that, dogs can often get startled during the darkness and run off which is why a GPS dog collar is also a good shout. I can pull out my phone and use the app to see where my dog is which is a great peace of mind.
True-Crime Nerd Safety Tips:
Stick to well-lit sidewalks
I have one dog route for the summer and spring months and a different dog route for the autumn and winter months. I avoid wooded areas during the darker months simply because there are more places for someone to hide! And let’s be honest, wooded areas are more spooky at night.
Walk with a purpose
Walk with your head high and with a purpose. People who walk at a more leisurely stride are often more of a target because it gives the impression that they aren’t on their way to meet someone so nobody is expecting them and alarm bells won’t be ringing as soon. Also intercepting someone who is walking fast is harder to do so a would-be assailant is less likely to choose you over someone else
Don’t break stride when approached
This one comes down to human psychology and power plays. If you are approached by someone (not a dog walker) who tries to get your attention by starting a conversation and you slow down or stop to talk to them – you immediately give up control to them because they have manipulated your behavior and decisions – they have caused you to stop. This power play now puts them above you and has made you more vulnerable to whatever they chose to do with this control.
This is why you should avoid breaking stride if a man begins a conversation with you when you are on your own on a dog walk at night. By carrying on walking it forces them to walk too which gives the power to you and away from them. They are now being forced to make decisions on the move. This is also a clear indication to them that you don’t want to have a conversation… so if they persist with this interaction even though you are clearly not interested… this is your first warning sign that this person may be dangerous.
Pepper Spray
Ok so this may be hardcore to some people but like I said, I love true crime! I began walking my dog at about 4:45 – 5:00am each morning and at that time it is very dark, quiet and no one is around. To feel safer I bring a pepper spray canister with me. It is small enough to fit in my coat pocket to pull out whenever I need it. Chances are, you will never need it, but we deserve to feel safe as we walk our dogs so who cares if anyone else thinks it’s a little overboard!
Have a routine
If you are reading this blog post it’s because you walk on your own at night with your dog and don’t have a friend or family member to go with. So for that reason, it’s a good idea to have a routine so that if something happens to you when you are out, a family member will know something is up when you haven’t returned by a certain time.
Conclusion
I hope these safety tips for walking your dog at night will help you feel a little safer on your own as a dog mom. These aren’t meant to scare you but to help you be more vigilant and make your nighttime dog walks that little bit more pleasurable. So remember to increase your visibility with a flashlight or reflective clothing, bring your phone, use a well-lit sidewalk, carry a pepper spray if you want and walk with your head high and with a purpose.
I truly care about you and your dog’s safety and feel so privileged to have you in this dog mom community with me. I would love to hear from you if you have any other safety tips for walking your dog at night!
P.S. If you are also a True Crime lover, let me know which podcasts and TV shows you like to listen to!
